Olmos ready for run in District 143

Roycelyn Bastian

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, September 14, 2005

I have maintained stability in running for this office for the past six years, and through my community service, I became aware of the legislative process and how to advocate rights for the district," Olmos said.

Olmos received her knowledge of community service from her parents. "I came from a democratic family where my parents were community activists for 25 to 30 years. My father was a precinct judge, and my mother was the park director for DeZavala Park. Since their involvement in the community, we have all been raised to be part of the community," she said.

She is seeking election because she wants to improve the quality of life in her district. "I want to represent the

district, because I know that I can make a difference and advocate funds to improve District 143," she said.

While in the community working for the citizens and their rights, Olmos has noticed a lot of issues.

"As the state representative for this district, I will find funds and put them in the hands of organizations in the immediate area that can partner with the local day care to reach the needs of the neighborhoods. I feel that the needs of the children have been underserved for too long," she said. Olmos' vision is to see more day-care centers such as Head Start in the communities.

"In Austin, I will try to pass a bill through which senior citizens can receive prescription vouchers up to $100 in addition to their regularly monthly checks. This voucher is strictly for the purchase of medications, and it will help them to buy at least one of their major medicines that they have to have," Olmos said. "Money for the vouchers can come from allocated money from the general fund.

"Another way to get money for the vouchers is to make sure the lottery money goes to the education fund, which means we can educate the senior citizens on what medicines they take. If we do that, we can use some of that money to get the vouchers."

The candidate also wants to create a partnership with the civic clubs to request money for special projects like helping the senior citizens maintain their property.

Another issue Olmos will work for is the economic development for small businesses to partner with the Port of Houston security emergency evacuation preparedness.

"The partnership will help to get affordable housing and in restoring the cultural and historical areas of the district for a Ship Channel Archives Museum."

Olmos was born and grew up in the East End.

"I remember working on the Kennedy/Johnson campaign at the age of 6," she said. "In my 20s, I remember my family and five other precinct judges fighting for and advocating with Congressman Gene Green. I received a lot of experiences as a teen-ager working on campaigns with my parents," she said.

At 21, Olmos opened her first hair salon and seven years later, she opened the second.

"I have always been self employed. During the time of my hair salon business, I was trying to educate people on how to be self-sustaining as an individual. I groomed young women in order to help them gain employment."

After years of running her own business, Olmos attended the University of Houston and earned two bachelor degrees: one in occupational technical industry, and the other in theater with a minor in dance.

"I also attended San Jacinto College and became certified to teach cosmetology. At this time, I am a contract cosmetology teacher and a substitute teacher," she said.

Olmos is also in the real estate business and owns several rental properties throughout the district.

"I want to let the people know that even though I own real estate property, my homestead property is in District 143 where I have lived for over 20 years," she said. "I want people to know that in order to be a candidate, a person must have lived and voted in the district for at least 10 years.

On the minimum side, a candidate has to live in the district six months before the election day."

During her spare time, Olmos spends time with her family, which consists of her husband, Paul, four children and six grandchildren.

For more information on Olmos, or where she stands on the issues, call 713-928-8022, or email her at